Those of you who have been regular visitors to my website for quite some time know - from my constant whining and complaining about the weather in some of my Hydro Logs from about mid October to the end of February - that I hate the cold, rainy days of autumn and the cold, snowy days of winter. Hate it. Just hate it. Ugh.

Well, in case you haven’t noticed (and how can you claim to be a regular visitor if you haven’t?), I have not lodged one noteworthy complaint about this year’s fall season – so far. That’s because autumn 2008 up here in my northern world hasn’t been half bad. In fact, the weather – aside from a handful of chilly, rainy days – has been good. Not damn good, but good enough. We do have colder days than a month ago, and today is a sucky day, but in general, the days have been quite comfortable. Many of them have even been sunny. So yay to that.

But.

The strange thing about this is that I tend to buy more plants when the weather is cold and gloomy than when it’s warm and sunny. In fact, I purchase more plants during the fall and winter – on miserable days - than at any other time during the year. After a few days of rainy weather, a major snowstorm or a severe cold spell, I always take a drive to one local greenhouse or another and - more often than not - end up coming home with something. I really just go there to feel a little closer to nature (greenhouses are my way of staying sane during the gloomiest, coldest and “plantless” months of the year). Really. But hey, if there’s something different, something I’ve wanted for a long time, how can I resist?

Of course, the total amount of yearly fall-winter plant purchases is affected by the severity of the weather. The worse it is, the more plants I end up with. And vice versa. Now having said that, you can pretty much figure out whether or not I’ve bought any plants lately, the weather being so pleasant and all. That’s right, none. Zero. Zip. Zilch. Less than one.

Shocking, isn’t it? Especially for a plantaholic like me. It’s the truth though; I just haven’t felt the need to bring anything home. For now. There are two things that can change this: 1) the weather can turn on me at any given point, which will compel me to lug home more plants than I need, and 2) the stores are filling up with holiday plants, which is usually more temptation than I can bear. It is extremely difficult for me to walk by an aisle of festive-looking specimens without wanting to take home a dozen or so of them. They’re just so damn colorful!

And I’m absolutely guaranteed to fall off the wagon should both debilitating factors (bad weather and holiday plants) merge. If the weather decides to totally suck during the period when stores are overflowing with holiday plants, well, I won’t even go there; it’s not a pretty sight.

Although I haven’t given in to the festive-looking-plants-are-all-over-the-place temptation, it’s not like I haven’t noticed them. They’re springing up everywhere. And they’re abundant and dazzling and maddeningly appealing. But I haven’t caved in to any of them. I’m just going to write a little about some of them in today’s Hydro Log. With Christmas fast approaching, I thought it might be a good idea to offer some advice on the top four (in my opinion) holiday favourites: Poinsettia (Euphorbia Pulcherrima), Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera), Cyclamen and Amaryllis.

The information below has been copied over from a previous article that was written around this time last year, which is fine; it’s all my writing and it’s not like I’m plagiarizing or anything. And plant advice does not have an expiration date or some such thing, so it’s still applicable. Plus, it might prove useful to some of you, especially if you’re fairly new to holiday houseplants. Finally, I’m hoping to post a few more Hydro Logs before the year ends, which will include profiles on other holiday plants that, although not as popular, are worth a mention.


How To Care For The Top 4 Holiday Plants

Poinsettia – A Time-Honoured Classic

Poinsettias are the most popular of the holiday plants and one of the most delightful decorations at Christmas. They grace dinner tables, fireplace mantles and tabletops. They are given and received as gifts by family and friends who gather together to share the season’s celebrations. These time-honoured classics can retain their beautiful display for weeks if not months inside your home. The longevity of your plant’s attractiveness and its ability to last through the Christmas season and beyond will depend mainly on what type of care you provide.

Your holiday plant loves high levels of light, so find a spot for it near a sunny window, which will provide at least six hours per day of indirect sunlight. The more light it receives, the longer it will last indoors. Keep your Poinsettia away from hot or cold drafts caused by radiators, air conditioners or open doors and windows. Place it in a warm room with average household temperatures. Keep the soil moderately moist; Poinsettias are susceptible to rot from over watering but they will also shed a great number of leaves if chronically under watered.

Most Poinsettias are treated as temporary gift plants and kicked to the curb once the bracts begin to age and the aesthetical appeal is lost. But Poinsettias are far from being temporary. They can be kept for a long time as an attractive foliage plant and - with proper care, dedication and a little luck - be encouraged to re-bloom for the next year’s holiday season.

For more information: The Time-Honored Poinsettia


Christmas Cactus - A Majestic Heirloom

Possibly the second most popular plant during the holiday season, the Christmas Cactus makes an elegant statement with its majestic display of flowers in shades of pink, white, red, violet, yellow, salmon, fuchsia or combinations of these colours. These much-loved plants are a wonderful seasonal decoration on a mantle, windowsill or countertop in your home when in bloom and striking foliage plants for the remainder of the year.

Since its natural home is a forest, this cactus is not quite as drought-tolerant as its desert kin, and although as a succulent it can store water, it needs to be kept evenly moist during the growing period in above average humidity levels of 50 – 60 percent. When the flowers have faded, allow the plant a much-needed rest by placing it in a cooler area and minimizing water for about six weeks. When new growth appears, resume regular watering and keep it evenly moist. When buds form in autumn, water just enough to keep the plant from shriveling. Increase water to normal levels while the plant is flowering.

Although low light can be tolerated, this plant prefers to be placed near a window where it can receive bright, indirect light. The morning sun of an eastern location is welcome but the plant must be protected against midday sun, especially during the warmer months of the year.

Sadly, many of these long-lasting plants are discarded as soon as the flowering period ends. A well cared for Christmas Cactus can bloom heavily year after year with proper care, and thrive for decades, possibly outliving its caretaker.

For more information: Christmas Cactus - From Tomb To Heirloom


Cyclamen – A Cyclical Beauty

No more than 12 inches tall - with flowers resembling butterflies with their wings closed floating over heart-shaped, dark green leaves beautifully marked with silver patterns - this little bloomer is one of the most remarkable holiday plants on the market. It may be small in size but it demands attention with delicate flowers available in shades of white, pink, red and lavender.

Provide your plant with bright light and protect against midday sun, which can damage the delicate leaves. A north or east-facing window is ideal and there’ll be no objection to the subtle and brief morning sun of an eastern windowsill. Like the Azalea, a Cyclamen prefers a cool spot - no warmer than 20°C (68°F) during the day and a cooling down to 12°C (55°F) or even 10°C (50°F) at night. Keep the potting medium moderately moist and never allow it to dry out completely. It’s recommended to water only from below to avoid pouring water directly on the plant’s tuber, leaves and flowers; immerse the pot in a shallow container with tepid water until the soil is moist. Provide above average humidity for optimal health.

Most of these hearty bloomers are treated as temporary plants and discarded as soon as the flowers fade. But they can be persuaded to bloom every single year after a period of rest. Cyclamen follow a routine cycle – from dormancy to full bloom – throughout each year. The schedule that they follow is an advantage. Once you understand it and allow your plant to go through it, you’ll be able to easily encourage yearly blooms.

For more information: Recycling A Cyclical Cyclamen


Amaryllis – Bold and Beautiful

What says Christmas better than an Amaryllis, a plant that puts on one of the most dramatic flower displays you will ever have the pleasure of witnessing. With proper care, this lovely bloomer will boast those dazzling blooms the first year you own it and every year after that. And if you really pamper it, the bulb may even divide and multiply, leaving you with more bulbs to enjoy.

Plant the bulb up to its neck in a well-draining medium, leaving 1/3 to 1/4 of the top exposed. Water thoroughly and set the plant in a bright, indirect spot where temperatures range between 21°C (70°F) to 23°C (75°F). Do not water again until you see obvious signs of growth, then water thoroughly when necessary, keeping the soil moderately moist. Never allow the medium to dry out completely. Be careful of over-watering, which will rot the bulb. The flower stalk is usually the first to appear but it’s not unusual for leaves to emerge before and even during the initial stage. As a general rule, the period from potting to flowering takes between 7 – 10 weeks.

And once the blooming period is over, there’s no need to throw out that bulb. With the right care, you can get your Amaryllis to bloom again next year. It may even be worth your while to keep that Amaryllis bulb instead of throwing it out every year because the longer you have your Amaryllis bulb, the bigger it will get and the more flowers it will produce. For those reasons alone, it’s worth keeping it around.

For more information: The Bold And The Beautiful Amaryllis

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